After lying low for several years, grasshoppers may be making a small but determined comeback in Manitoba. A Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives survey predicts pockets of moderate to severe grasshopper infestation in parts of southwestern and south-central Manitoba during 2009. The most vulnerable area is the extreme southwestern corner of the province where
Grasshopper risk up in 2009
New MCPA head wants more emphasis on agriculture
“If you’re not willing to do something, you can’t complain.” – JOE BOUCHARD, MCPA If Joe Bouchard had his way, agriculture would qualify for a federal bailout package ahead of the auto industry. Like many of his fellow producers, Bouchard believes the federal Conservative government gives agriculture, especially the cattle sector, mere lip service at
Single fluid milk price threatens provincial commission
“The commission is concerned with the protection of consumer interests.” – CRAIG LEE, MMPRC CHAIRMAN A Manitoba agency formed during the 1930s to control the price of milk could vanish if plans for a uniform fluid milk price across the Prairies come to pass. The Manitoba government has agreed in principle to harmonizing producer milk
Cattle producers pan AgriStability
“If you don’t have a margin, how do you access funds?” – Robert McLean, KAP Dianne Smith was expecting a rough ride from Manitoba cattle producers over her presentation on business risk management programs. But the audience sat mostly in stony silence, offering only a few perfunctory questions. Smith, an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada client
Trade touted as cattle industry’s salvation
“We’ve always made our living in the marketplace.” – brad wildeman, cca Increased trade is the solution to the Canadian cattle industry’s economic woes, Manitoba cattle producers were told last week. The Manitoba Cattle Producers Association annual meet ing heard a rous ing endorsement of global trade and free enterprise as an answer to the
Manitoba organic milk finally hits store shelves
“Consumers want it so why not provide them with it?” – HANS BORST My name is Conrad and I want to be your dairy farmer.” The friendly crowd chuckled as enthusiastic milk producer Conrad Zacharias took the podium during the official launch of the first organic milk produced and sold in Manitoba. Zacharias and his
Hog producers pinch pennies as crisis continues
Colin Hatch will only say his company’s sales are down “marginally.” But his body language suggests otherwise. Like other businesses servicing the hog industry, Elanco Animal Health is feeling the pinch. Low prices, high costs and trade barriers are causing producers to leave the industry. Fewer producers mean fewer pigs and, as a result, lower
Winnipeg beef plant gets new corporate structure
“If they can make it work, great. We’re in favour of it.” – Martin Unrau, MCPA Manitoba’s newest beef processing project has a new name and a new corporate structure. Natural Prairie Beef Inc. and the Manitoba Cattle Enhancement Council are joining hands to form Keystone Processors Ltd., which will kill cattle and process beef
Cattle producers plan COOL survival strategy
Canadian livestock producers have finally succeeded in getting the federal government to initiate a World Trade Organization challenge to the U. S. country-of-origin meat labelling rule. Their task now is to live with COOL while the WTO case makes its long and torturous way through the system. It could take up to three years to
Emptying rural Canada
“How far do you go forward?” – Bert Hall Bert Hall remembers when you only had to walk half a mile in any direction to be on a neighbour’s farm. The countryside was full of people when Hall, 88, was a boy growing up on a farm northeast of Manitou, Man. The first national census
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